Transformational in the City Part 2

Before I mention a few other projects that RCC will be focusing on in the city to help bring transformation, I want to share with you about a little reality check I received. 

Recently, as I was taking a tour of Reading, I ended up in probably the worst section of Reading. Drug deals, stabbings and shootings happen with unfortunate regularity and all on the grounds of a park where children play daily. I was told about the churches and other groups that go into the crack houses and put themselves into harms way to help. Needless to say, clever ideas on bringing change to a city pales in comparison to those who just roll up their sleeves, and being driven by the needs around them, give until it hurts.

The book of John, chapter 13 starts with this verse: "Jesus knew the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love." Jesus had spent all of his time over the last 3 years with these disciples. He spoke into their lives, walked and worked with them. He trained them. Yet, it was only now that he was showing them "the full extent of his love." What did this look like? It looked like the part of a servant in which he undressed from middle class clothing to fully take on the embodiment of a slave, and he washed his followers feet. After this, he tells them, and I believe us, "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."


We can say we love people; that we care for the lost and the hurting, but love must show itself at some point. I was watching a popular Christian speaker this morning who talks about the need to be healthy by accepting the truth of who God says we are. I agree with this and think it is needed but at some point, we have to ask, why am I becoming healthy and whole? Eventually, as redeemed loved people, there has got to be action and this action, as demonstrated by the entire life of Jesus, is to serve and to give and then to serve and give some more.


This is particularly difficult for our American minds. If we give, we give because it makes us feel good. We rarely give when it does not feel good. Even more rare is to give when it is not convenient or practical or even when it hurts. Yet, this is what it means to be a follower of Jesus. This is what it means to be the church. Read your Bible through the lens of how God cares for the poor, the widow, the orphan, the imprisoned, the stranger and your whole idea of what your function is as a Christian will change.

I believe a church can learn to show the full extent of His love within us all and act, not as an occasional event in which we can pat ourselves on our backs by fulfilling our "service" or "missions" quota, but as a way of being church. One example of this, is Cornerstone in California in which Francis Chan was pastor. You can watch a video about this, especially the first 11 minutes or so, although it all good.


As mentioned in the previous post, RCC will not just be reactionary but respond, we hope, with intelligence and with much prayer. Yet, it is much deeper than this. To truly help to bring transformation to the city we gather in as a way of BEING church, we learn in the process what it means to live a life individually and as families in which we give our work, love, time, money and more away for the sake of mission of Jesus. This scares me because I know I will personally have to deal with just how selfish I am. Yet, it also truly excites me because I know God is seeking this kind of people in America. And I know this will be the people of RCC.